Mirage Project outcomes: 2016-2019
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Cumbernauld-based Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS) is preparing for rapid international expansion with the launch of two new products, developed as part of a pioneering collaborative research (R&D) project in Scotland.
The manufacturing firm presented its CozIR®-LP2and SprintIR®-R sensors at two of the biggest industry exhibitions in the world: Sensor and Test 2019 Expo in Nuremberg, Germany and Sensors Expo in San Jose, California.
The new products were developed following the £6M ‘Mirage’ project facilitated by CENSIS and Scottish Enterprise.
GSS was one of four manufacturers to participate in Mirage alongside CST Global, Cascade Technology and Amethyst Ltd. The first of its kind in Scotland, Mirage saw businesses working together on the production of materials used in the manufacturing of a host of household and industrial products that use sensors.
Taking up to 50 CO2 readings per second, the SprintIR®-Rsensor can quickly detect leaks in food packaging and reduce excess wastage. The technology will also allow healthcare professionals to monitor CO2 levels in patients’ breath when they are using respiratory machines, helping to quickly identify any potential problems.
The CozIR®-LP2is a low-power CO2 sensor designed to identify minor levels of carbon dioxide, with low power, making it ideal for use in wearables and other portable products. This can be used to inform wearers when levels of CO2 are potentially dangerous. A previous iteration of this technology has been used on the International Space Station to highlight the differences in tolerance.
Founded in 2006, GSS has produced CO2 sensors for a variety of applications including healthcare, industrial safety, aerospace and food processing in markets across the globe. In the past 12 months the business has doubled its production capacity.
GSS has recently been listed as finalists in two categories at the UK-wide Electronics Industry Awards, including Excellence in Innovation.
GSS CEO Calum MacGregor, said: “Our two new products are an integral part of our plans to rapidly grow GSS into 2020 and beyond. We already provided best-in-class technology with previous iterations of these products, and these advancements allow us to remain competitive and improve outcomes for our global customer base.”
“The Mirage project has allowed Gas Sensing Solutions the opportunity to further develop our research and development within the company. This in turn has enabled us to continue to produce leading technology world-wide for our clients.”
Paul Winstanley, CENSIS CEO said: “The success of GSS is evidence of what can be achieved when valuable knowledge is shared across academia and industry. Projects like this can help to develop complex technology for use across multiple sectors and will ultimately lead to the employment of more and more highly-skilled workers in Scotland.
“The overall ambition was to support SMEs to work together, develop and grow. Cooperating in this way can propel Scotland to the front of the global sensor industry and create a supply chain that is competitive on the world stage.”